JOHANNESBURG – The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Johannesburg condemns Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s continued reluctance to fully implement the Payment Framework Agreement (PFA) for municipal workers.

We view this obstruction as a direct assault on the livelihoods of workers who have already endured years of financial uncertainty. It is unacceptable that the Treasury, under Minister Godongwana, continues to prioritise fiscal austerity over the livelihoods of workers. The refusal to fully implement the PFA, which was adopted to address legitimate grievances regarding wage disparities, demonstrates a blatant disregard for collective bargaining and worker solidarity. This failure to implement the PFA is not just a technicality; it is an economic injustice that leaves municipal workers vulnerable to poverty despite being employed.

We demand that the National Treasury cease its adversarial approach toward workers and honour the agreements made to ensure fair compensation. COSATU will not stand by while workers are treated as expendable. We call on Minister Godongwana to reconsider this hostile stance and fully fund the implementation of the PFA immediately. If the Minister continues to hold back, COSATU will escalate this matter to the highest levels of struggle to ensure that workers receive what is rightfully theirs.

Workers Unite!

Issued by:
COSATU Gauteng Provincial Chairperson: Amos Monyela – 079 493 5002
Provincial Secretary: Louisah Modikwe – 066 182 2402 / 082 297 2659